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09-08-2003, 11:55 PM | #1 |
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Plasma cutters
I want to buy a plasma cutter to cut out sheet metal on the trucks and such. What's a good price?
Will this do the job? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40384
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09-09-2003, 12:14 AM | #2 |
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Should be fine for sheet metal, but if you think you'll ever wanna cut a frame or anything thicker than body panels, you'd be better off stepping up to something like this...
http://www.daytonamig.com/plasma.htm
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09-09-2003, 12:16 AM | #3 |
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i think you'd be better off with a good jig-saw , if you're lookin to buy a decent plasma cutter expect to pay well over $1200
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09-09-2003, 12:24 AM | #4 |
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Thanks for the help! 500-700 sounds more like it since I want be using it much.
I've tried the saws-all and jig - doesn't look like it's going to "cut-it" when going to rocker panels. Besides - it's not as fun! So what's the cheapest I can get a way with on a mig welder? I do understand you get what you pay for Some of these are dirt cheap.
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09-09-2003, 04:39 AM | #5 |
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As far as MIG welders are concerned...I bought
the Lincoln Pro MIG 135. It works really for sheetmetal and light steel. Be careful...some welders are simply wire fed welders (no gas). I have found, after owning both types, that welding with gas gives a much cleaner weld. Of course, like someone on this board told me, the greatest asset a welder can have for welding sheetmetal is patience! At any rate the local home center has the Lincoln 135 for $400 some dollars. I got a 40lb tank of MIG gas from BOC Gases for $114. And...the 135 will also weld aluminum. Jim Mt Juliet |
09-09-2003, 10:57 AM | #6 |
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wxman1, is that a 110V or 220V?
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09-09-2003, 12:27 PM | #7 |
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I have the Hobart plasma cutter converted to 230v. Good little machine IMO.
I also have a new Millermatic 175 mig welder. Excellent for body work. I also have a new Miller Synchrowave 180 Tig welder. Great for fine detail welding. I need to practice more on the Tig welder... If you want to cut body panels, you want a die grinder with a cut off wheel. |
09-09-2003, 12:51 PM | #8 |
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I have a hypertherm 1250- It can up up to 7/8" steel. I use it on 1/8" steel all the time. It was also $2200. I can buy a cnc program/table and hook mine up to it and I can cnc parts. Worht every penny!
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09-09-2003, 05:31 PM | #9 |
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had good luck with thermal dynamics plas. around $1200. Hey 67 fs how do you like that syncro 180? I've been lookin at gettin one.
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09-09-2003, 07:52 PM | #10 |
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I recently purchased a Lincoln Pro-cut 25, it uses 110 or 220 and cuts up to 3/8". It was a little over a grand. I was thinking about the Daytona Mig cutter but decided to go with a name brand for future service.
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09-09-2003, 08:24 PM | #11 |
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I have an ESAB pcm-500i and woudnt be without it, no matter what kind you buy the key is to have a clean moisture free supply of air, I run a very good filter right on the back of the unit and another downstream at the compressor.
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09-09-2003, 08:40 PM | #12 |
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I bought a Hypertherm unit which will severe 1/2" plate and clean cuts up to 3/8". I think it cost me about $900. I would recommend comparing units a little. Consumables can be expensive on some models. Hypertherm has been in the business of plasma cutters since the beginning. No, I don't work for the company. Just love being able to cut through stainless, aluminum, and all things that conduct electricity. They are truly amazing machines. Good luck on your future purchase. Here is a link to the site and the plasma cutter I have. http://www.hypertherm.com/manual/pmax_380.htm
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09-09-2003, 08:42 PM | #13 |
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Hey Ackattack:
The Lincoln 135 is 110v. Jim Mt Juliet |
09-09-2003, 08:48 PM | #14 |
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I use one of these Henrob 2000 torches for nearly all of my cutting and welding. It takes some practice to get used to it, but for me, it works just as well as a plasma cutter and a mig welder.
I replaced the floorboards, rocker panels, cab corners, A- pillars, and welded up the gas tank filler hole on my 71 GMC using this set up. http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/
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09-09-2003, 10:01 PM | #15 |
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This was a good thread. Lots of useful info for someone looking to buy a cutter. Anybody watch Monster House on the Discovery Channel? They give a way an ESAB tool, but I don't remember what it is.
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09-09-2003, 10:18 PM | #16 |
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I use this...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36843 It is really amazing. You can break hacksaw blades in thirds and use them instead of the cheesy blades that come with it. This is the best tool that I have bought from Harbor Freight. There is a cheaper one that looks very similar, but I don't know if it is as powerful. I cut my old cab up into little peices with it, cut my bed floor, frame, etc. They are really handy.
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09-09-2003, 10:56 PM | #17 |
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I've got one of those little air saws too. They're real handy except they burn up the blades pretty fast. Mine was made by Snap-On, so it cost about 4 times as much as the Harbor Freight one. They were probably made in the same factory in China though.
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09-09-2003, 11:41 PM | #18 |
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I also have the Lincoln Pro MIG 135. It was $424 at Lowes and it is 110v. Works great without the gas and I cant wait to try it with gas.
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09-10-2003, 03:36 AM | #19 |
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i have a hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, works great, as for a welder i have a hobart 135 for sheet metal and larger miller welders for other things.
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